'Brothers & Sisters': Ryan's hope

After months of anticipation, "Brothers & Sisters" finally introduced us to Ryan Lafferty, the latest contestant in "Who wants to be William Walker's long-lost illegitimate child?" His existence was revealed in last season's finale after a DNA test eliminated Rebecca from the game and prompted both gasps and eye rolls from devoted fans.

Some were shocked that after a season and a half of developing Rebecca as a potential Walker sibling, the show would pull the rug from under them and then pair her romantically with a character she thought was her half-brother. Others were frustrated at having to endure yet another illegitimate child story -- couldn't the writers come up with something else? Needless to say, expectations run high with this Ryan character, who enters the scene as an emo Berkeley student.

After Ryan's initial phone call, Nora naturally takes matters into her own hands and pays him a surprise visit. "You're pretty spontaneous," he says when she ambushes him at his after-school job. With his floppy hair, sleepy eyes and soft spoken drawl, Ryan resembles Johnny Depp (as I mentioned in last week's recap) and seems to be completely different from the other Walkers. He's shy and thoughtful, yet has the potential to be more complex (read: troubled), a combo that may make him more difficult to decipher than Rebecca. He decides not to return to L.A. with Nora, so we may have to wait an episode or two for this story to flesh out.

Another story building anticipation is Tommy's impending exit. When Rebecca skips town, Holly does some snooping in her office, where she finds contracts that lead her to question Ojai's acquisition of Crawford Orchard. She consults a lawyer, who tells her that the orchard is owned by a holding company incorporated by Tommy Walker, and she realizes he's trying to push her out. Let the battle for Ojai begin! There's no question that Tommy will be on the losing end, but I wouldn't count the Walker family out completely. He's not the only one trained to run that ship.

Last night was also the precursor for March 1's two-hour episode, which is preparing us for a birth (Kitty's adopted child) and a life-threatening medical crisis (Robert? Trish, the baby's birth mom? Both?). I'm pretty sure Robert's not going to die, but the emergency will lead to more complications in his and Kitty's marriage.

Time to share your thoughts. What do you think of Ryan Lafferty?

-- Enid Portuguez

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Rebirthgil]

I liked the introduction of Ryan, and even though he was charismatic, at the same time he seemed a bit mysterious. I wasn't quite sure whether to believe that he was a college student, or even if he actually was the person he was presenting himself as being. I was surprised when he decided not to go home with Nora, but after thinking about it, I thought that the timing would not be right for him to walk into Nora's family of never-ending disaster. I do think that whenever Ryan does meet the family THERE WILL BE BLOOD. Sort of. Kind of.

[Kim]

I haven't watched the episode yet, but I was flipping back and forth last night. I would like to ask the hair department of the show to get "Ryan" a comb! I don't care for messy hair! The previews for the next episode said "Shocking Death"!! I hope it's not Robert.

[Kim]

Are you crazy? That kid.. might be cute.. but he is no Johnny Depp.. not a young Johnny Depp or anything close to Johnny now!! OMG..
There isn't anything remotely similar...

Well that's my opinion.. sorry had to voice it.

[O-town]

I think to compare the guy playing Ryan Lafferty to Johnny Depp is to hint at the latent talent the guy has. I highly doubt that it was a slight on Johnny Depp's acting ability. Try finding a way to honor Depp's abilities without having to slight this guy who's trying to make a name for himself, much like Depp did on 21 Jump Street. I highly doubt anyone thought much of Depp when he was in that show other than the fact that he was a cutie. *rolls eyes* I like the guy playing Ryan Lafferty. There is something about him that isn't hyperactive like the rest of the Walker Clan. Thank goodness!

[Heather]

I like Luke Grimes (Ryan) and I think his character was presented well. He seems angry such is made evident when he said to Nora "you don't know much do you" in the last episode, and I think his anger might come into play with the whole "troubled" persona. Oooo! I can't wait. As for the next episode I suspect that Robert will have a heart attack and the birth mom will die because spoliers list all of the major characters (incl Rob) in future episodes. I need to get a life :)

[Heather]

I like Luke Grimes (Ryan) and I think his character was presented well. He seems angry such is made evident when he said to Nora "you don't know much do you" in the last episode, and I think his anger might come into play with the whole "troubled" persona. Oooo! I can't wait. As for the next episode I suspect that Robert will have a heart attack and the birth mom will die because spoliers list all of the major characters (incl Rob) in future episodes. I need to get a life :)

[Jaime Whitlock]

what is the actors name that plays ryan?

[Jess]

I am so glad he has joined the cast of brothers and sisters. He is yummy yummy :)